My Gear

I’m a self-professed gear geek and totally hate it when photographers don’t list their gear. Note that gear does NOT make good photos, photographers do. There are a vast number (we’re talking tens of thousands upon tens of thousands) of great photographers who could out shoot me with the cheapest of cameras (see Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera). However, the gear geek in me just wants to know, because I’m curious like that. Thus, I’m listing my gear, because it’s what I’d want to see.

Now, while the budget for gear is small, my want for more gear to play with is huge! Obviously these two are not compatible, so instead of working to acquire more and more stuff, I am trying to develop being a better photographer with simply what I have.

To that end, I have a basic kit, but sufficient for most every situation a normal person would find themselves in.

The basic setup is simply camera & lens. As it came with its kit lens, for things that don’t require long focal lengths or for shooting video (the STM lens is silent), this is what it normally looks like.

70D with EF-S 18-55 IS STM

Camera: Canon 70DLens: EF-S 18-55mm IS STM

For times when I do a lot of vertical shooting, or when the extra battery life is needed, I have a grip to throw on there.

Last in the equipment category is an inexpensive, but feature-packed flash – the Yongnuo YN-500EX.

Yongnuo YN-500EX

Most of this (except the grip when not installed on the camera) can actually fit in a reasonably-sized messenger-style Tamrac Rally 6 camera bag. I haven’t taken a shot of the bag, but here’s the product page for those that are curious. I went for the brown/tan version.

…and that’s all there is! Do I want more? Of course! I’d love to have a bunch of L glass with pretty red rings on them. While we’re at it, throw in a full frame 5D Mark III that costs a mere thirty-four hundred bucks. But at the end of the day what would that do aside from mollify a serious case of G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome)? Not a whole heck of a lot.

The question is really do I need more? Clearly the answer is no. What I have is enough for me to continue learning and growing as a (without a doubt amateur) photographer; and that’s what I hope to do.